Hebrews 2:7

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 2:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Hebrews 2:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, And didst set him over the works of thy hands:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou madest him a little lower than the angels, etc..] In the Hebrew text it is, “than Elohim”, which some render, “than God”; but it is rightly rendered by the apostle, “than angels”; and so the Targum, Jarchi, Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, interpret it. Christ was made a little lower than the angels, through the assumption of the human nature, which is inferior to angels, especially the corporeal part of it, and in this Kimchi makes the lessening to be; and more especially as that was assumed by Christ, with the infirmities of it; and by reason of the straits and indigencies he was brought into in it; besides, he was in it made under the law, which was given by angels, and to some…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“a little--not as BENGEL, "a little time." than the angels--Hebrew, "than God," "Elohim," that is, the abstract qualities of God, such as angels possess in an inferior form; namely, heavenly, spiritual, incorporeal natures. Man, in his original creation, was set next beneath them. So the man Jesus, though Lord of angels, when He emptied Himself of the externals of His Divinity (see on Phi 2:6-7), was in His human nature "a little lower than the angels"; though this is not the primary reference here, but man in general. crownedst him with glory and honour--as the appointed kingly vicegerent of God over this earth (Gen. 1:1-2:25). and didst set him over the works of thy hands--omitted in some…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou madest him a little lower than the angels - Margin, “A little while inferior to.” The Greek may here mean a little inferior in rank, or inferior for a little time. But the probable meaning is, that it refers to inferiority of rank. Such is its obvious sense in Psalms 8:1-9, from which this is quoted. The meaning is, that God had made man but little inferior to the angels in rank. He was inferior, but still God had exalted him almost to their rank. Feeble, and weak, and dying as he was, God had exalted him, and had given him a dominion and a rank almost like that of the angels. The wonder of the Psalmist is, that God had given to human nature so much honor - a wonder that is not at all…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou hast made him - Adam. A little lower than the angels - The Hebrew is, a little lower than (that is, next to) God. Such was man as he came out of the hands of his Creator: it seems, the highest of all created beings. But these words are also in a farther sense, as the apostle here shows, applicable to the Son of God. It should be remembered that the apostles constantly cited the Septuagint translation, very frequently without any variation. It was not their business, in writing to the Jews, who at that time had it in high esteem, to amend or alter this, which would of consequence have occasioned disputes without end. Hebrews 2:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:7 them: Literally him. This refers to humanity in general and is applied specifically to Christ (see study note on 2:6-8). • Christ became a little lower than the angels (or lower than the angels for only a little while), like other human beings (see also Phil 2:5-8). As a result of his suffering, he was crowned . . . with glory and honor (see Heb 2:9; Phil 2:9-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“madest: Heb 2:9 a little lower than: or, a little while inferior to Hebrews 2:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification